OUGD103 evaluation

What skills have you developed through this module and how effectively do you think you have applied them?

I feel I have developed numerous new skills throughout this module, perhaps more so than the previous modules I have undertaken. One of the most important skills I have developed (particularly in the final brief) has been rapidly putting ideas into practice. With earlier modules, I found it relatively difficult to really focus on one particular idea and rapidly begin to visualise this. One reason I enjoyed the 'speaking from experience' brief maybe more so than any other briefs this year is that I found it possible to grab one idea and almost instantly visualise a resolution, through sketching and playing around on Illustrator. This in some ways made me realise how much I had learnt this year, without even realising so. I have also begun to get to grips with InDesign, a programme that presented me with some difficulties initially, but I found that I have developed a level of patience that has helped me overcome this. 

What approaches to/methods of research have you developed and how have they informed your design development process?

My research methods for this module have not been anywhere near as thorough as I would have ideally liked them to have been. I have enjoyed studying the work of others, and I feel this has informed my design practice more so than much of the first hand research I have undertaken. In future modules, I will be sure to make much more of an effort with my primary research material, as to enable me to design more informed resolutions. 

What strengths can you identify in your work and how have you/will you capitalise on these?

At this point in time, I have been particularly enjoying infographics and hand-drawn type as areas of graphic design. I do feel that these are my strengths at the moment, but I do not really wish to capitalise on these just yet, as I feel I still have a lot of areas yet to explore and learn about. However, hand-made type is becoming more of a hobby to me at the moment, something which I can often contribute to my design practice, but mainly being something that I enjoy in my spare time. 

What weaknesses can you identify in your work and how will you address these more fully?

Research has consistently been a weakness of mine, for most briefs I have undertaken. I hope to improve on this next year, with a fresh attitude and a much more informed knowledge of graphic design. I feel that I have learnt a huge amount this year, and made many mistakes, yet these mistakes will allow me to be a much more competent designer once the second year is underway.

Identify five things that you will do differently next time and what you expect to gain from doing these?


Everything. That's a lazy answer so I must elaborate; looking back to the very beginning of the year where I failed to produce more than 11 letters for the summer brief and had no idea what constitutes 'good' design. I've spent the whole year making mistakes and producing very hit-and-miss work, that in some cases answered the brief, and in other cases did not. I feel that the work I have produced is less relevant to me than the amount of information I had taken in and the amount of knowledge I have gained, and for that reason, I will be entering the second year with a much fresher attitude and approach. So essentially what I am trying to say is; I will be doing everything differently next year.

How would you grade yourself in the following areas:

1=poor 5=excellent

Attendance:                                                4

Punctuality:                                                4

Motivation:                                                4

Commitment:                                                3

Quantity of work produced:                        2

Quality of work produced:                        3

Contribution to the group:                        2